3 minute read

The Fred Kersley trained On The Ropes has proven ultra impressive in his two career starts to date and appears lobbed in to notch up the hat-trick at Belmont on Sunday.

In both career starts On The Ropes has yet to be seen out of second gear and his win last start was ultra impressive when idling to the line to score by four lengths.

Stepping up to the mile on Sunday appears to be right up his alley and given he already rates clear on weight adjusted ratings it's hard to see him getting beat as we feel he will just keep on improving.

From the fair draw he should settle just off the speed and when pulled out in the straight his sharp turn of foot should see him sprint straight past his rivals.

Installed a $1.80 chance does seem short however we have rated closer to a $1.50 chance and will gladly dive in at the current quote.

Lining up a fairly modest bunch on Sunday he simply should prove far too good and we expect him to go on to bigger and better things.

The Simon Miller trained So Symbolic had previously displayed plenty of ability under the care of Gai Waterhouse and proceeded to pick up right where he left off last start when streaking away for an effortless victory.

In what was a very impressive training performance given he returned figures close to his peak achieved in Sydney it does appear that he is open to further improvement racing second up on Sunday.

Boasting form around the likes of War Charm and Disciple it is clear he has always been a galloper who could go on to bigger and better things and may yet do so under the care of Simon Miller.

While stepping up in grade on Sunday he still rates well on weight adjusted ratings and is the deserved favourite.

The step up to 1300m appears ideal and although drawn a touch awkwardly we expect him to roll forward and take up the running.

Installed the 2-1 favourite we feel is a more than fair price and have him rated closer to a 6-4 chance and are more than happy to take the price on offer.

The Adam Durrant trained Ora Dare proved successful in notching up a hat-trick of wins here last start however he does appear to have reached his mark now and is vulnerable in the third race of the day.

Lining up against a large field of 17 it is more than likely that he will get a long way back from the wide draw and be spotting the leaders too big a start to make up.

We have Battle Ace, Ocean Cracker, Confianza, Hel Cool and Fleeting Image rated as just as good a chance if not better and view Ora Dare's current price of $2.35 as poison.

BEST FROM THE WEST:

BANKER: Race 4 #12 On The Ropes @ $1.80

PLAY OF THE DAY: Race 6 #8 So Symbolic @ $3.00

LAY OF THE DAY: Race 3 #5 Ora Dare @ $2.35